“American composer John Adams will return to Cincinnati as artistic partner for this season’s Cincinnati May Festival,” writes Janelle Gelfand in Monday’s (10/21) Cincinnati Business Courier (OH; subscription required). “Adams … joins principal conductor Juanjo Mena and director of choruses Robert Porco for the 2020 festival, May 21-31…. The May Festival will focus on music of the Americas and include works by nine living composers…. Mena will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony … excerpts from Beethoven’s only opera, ‘Fidelio,’ and the world premiere of a new choral work by American composer Jessie Montgomery…. Adams will conduct the May Festival Chorus, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and soloists in his … ‘El Nino’ … Guest conductor Ryan Bancroft makes his debut in music from Stravinsky and Copland to Adolphus Hailstork. The chorus is joined by Philadelphia’s St. Thomas Gospel Choir and the May Festival Community Chorus. Mena will close the festival on May 30 with Latin American sounds, including Estevez’ ‘Cantata Criolla,’ and music by Villa-Lobos and Ginastera. Also planned are an all-day community event, a cabaret night, a gospel concert and a semi-staged performance of Adams’ ‘I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky.’ ”
Posted October 23, 2019
